Word: spanishness
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Dates: during 1990-1990
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...moral standard should, say, a Marielito, already once rescued by America, enjoy a preference over, say, an Italian-American vet or an Irish cop? A Richmond ordinance struck down two years ago by the Supreme Court assigned 30% of city subcontracts to firms owned by minorities, defined as "Blacks, Spanish-speaking ((citizens)), Orientals, Indians, Eskimos or Aleuts." Richmond, capital of the Confederacy, is not known for its mistreatment of Eskimos. Yet under the law, Richmond would have had to prefer an Alaskan Eskimo to a local white in city contracting...
Ethnicity is in at the San Francisco fire department these days. The reason: fears that a program to promote minorities will hold back those classified as Caucasian. City officials report a wave of petitioners claiming long-lost ethnic identities. One 16-year veteran, previously listed as Italian, documented Spanish ancestry to qualify as Hispanic. Some minority fire fighters, meanwhile, are complaining that the bureaucracy has changed their classifications to "white." San Francisco's civil service commission says it will consider publicizing ethnic classifications so employees can challenge colleagues suspected of making shady heritage claims...
...Philmont trek provides a deceptively casual scenario for such transition. Changing history is evident in the area's visitors. Spanish conquistadores and American pioneers passed through. Trekkers carrying side arms have included Kit Carson and, more recently, eagle scout and FBI Director William Sessions, who brought along pistol-packing bodyguards. In recent years women have become active in the formerly all-male backcountry. Two of 501's adult leaders are female, as are 20 of Philmont's 185 rangers who hike for two days with each group to help launch the trip successfully. Environmental pressures are being felt as well...
When describing his radical plan to reform Brazil's out-of-control economy, President Fernando Collor de Mello used to state his goal by quoting Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes: "To win -- or to win." But in recent months the supremely confident Collor, 41, has notched precious few victories. The inflation rate, after being cut from 80% a month to less than 10%, is back to 17%. Interest rates are sky-high; unemployment is rising. Last week Collor got more bad news. In runoff elections for 15 governorships, progovernment candidates lost in the biggest and most influential states, including Sao Paulo...
Like "Black," the word "Hispanic"--currently used by government agencies to describe almost anyone who speaks Spanish--is coming under fire from those who say the term is too vague...